U.S. patent application number 09/909130 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-13 for audio-dedicated personal computer.
Invention is credited to Arbiter, John, Pfaff, Rupert.
Application Number | 20020073252 09/909130 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9896142 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020073252 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arbiter, John ; et
al. |
June 13, 2002 |
Audio-dedicated personal computer
Abstract
A multitrack audio recording apparatus (11) in the form of a PC.
The apparatus comprises a housing (12) having a front panel (13)
and mounted within the housing (12), a central processing unit
(14), a memory (15), a sound card (16) and a power supply (17). The
housing (12) is made from 2 mm steel and the front panel (13) from
heavy duty aluminium. The apparatus further includes a heavy duty
input socket (21) mounted on the front panel and connected to the
sound card.
Inventors: |
Arbiter, John; (London,
GB) ; Pfaff, Rupert; (London, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON, THUENTE, SKAAR & CHRISTENSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
9896142 |
Appl. No.: |
09/909130 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
710/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10H 1/32 20130101; G06F
3/162 20130101; G10H 1/0033 20130101; G06F 1/181 20130101; G10H
7/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
710/62 |
International
Class: |
G06F 013/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 21, 2000 |
GB |
0018000.0 UK |
Claims
1. Audio processing apparatus in the form of a personal computer
(PC) comprising: a power supply, a central processor unit, a memory
store, an audio interface connected to the processor, and a
housing; the power supply, processor and memory being located
within the housing; the housing having a front panel made of a
strong rigid material; the apparatus further including a heavy duty
input socket mounted on the front panel and connected to the
interface.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in the form of a multitrack
audio recording apparatus.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the interface is a
digital/audio interface, arranged to convert analogue audio signals
to digital signals, to transmit the digital signals to the
processor, to receive digital signals from the processor and to
convert digital signals to analogue audio output signals.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the interface is also
arranged to receive digital signals, in addition to or instead of
analogue signals.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the interface is
arranged to provide a digital output in addition to or instead of
an analogue output.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the process and memory
form the essential parts of a PC and the interface constitutes a
sound card.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the heavy duty input
mounted on the front panel is wired through the housing to a socket
at the rear and the signal path is permanently connected by a
further connecting lead to the input socket to the sound card.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the front panel is of
heavy duty aluminium with a thickness in the range of 5-10 mm.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the housing comprises a
sheet steel cover having a thickness between 1.5 and 3 mm and in
which the power supply, fan and processor are all selected for low
equipment noise.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a foot made from a
sound insulating material in order to absorb vibration and reduce
transmitted component vibration and noise, and in which vibration
damping and acoustic absorbent sheet materials are used on the
surfaces inside the housing to reduce transmitted component
noise.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the interface is
arranged to accept and send signals using the musical instrument
digital interface (MIDI).
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the housing dimensions
conform to the standard 19 inch (48 cm) music/audio rack
dimensions.
Description
[0001] The present invention is concerned with a personal computer
system which is dedicated to audio applications. It is
particularly, but not exclusively concerned with apparatus for
making multitrack audio recordings.
[0002] Computer hardware and software have been used for composing
and producing music and for producing and processing sounds for
approximately twenty years. The systems used have generally taken
one of two approaches: firstly, purpose designed hardware with
proprietary software held in integrated circuits (ICs), and
secondly proprietary software programs written to run on the
popular computer platforms of the day.
[0003] Early examples of the first approach include keyboard
instruments, hard disk multitrack recorders and more recently
various hard disk recorders, sequencers, drum machines,
synthesizers and samplers. The disadvantages of this type of system
include a lack of functional flexibility and a high cost relative
to functionality.
[0004] Early examples of the second approach include UMI software
running on Acorn BBC hardware. Later examples include various
software packages running on Commodore, Atari and more recently
Apple Macintosh and PC hardware.
[0005] Disadvantages of this type of system include poor
suitability of popular home/office hardware to audio and music
applications.
[0006] Insofar as it relates to audio recording, the present
invention generally follows the second of the two approaches but
uses novel hardware and software to address the significant
disadvantages of the current systems which use this approach. More
generally, the invention seeks to provide an audio-dedicated
personal computer (PC) which is versatile in that it is suitable
for a range of audio processing applications, while at the same
time being sufficiently practical and robust for use in recording
studios and in live music situations.
[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a personal computer comprising: a power supply; a housing; a
central processor unit within the housing; a memory store within
the housing; an audio signal input connected to the processor, a
font panel forming part of the housing and being made from a strong
rigid material; and a processing module removable mounted in the
font panel; the audio signal input being a heavy duty input socket
mounted on the front panel.
[0008] The processing module may be a multitrack recording module
or may be a sound synthesis or processing module such as an effects
unit, or a sound sampler module. The input socket is preferably
connected to the processor via an interface, such as a sound card.
The interface may act as an analogue/digital converter.
[0009] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, there is
provided a multitrack audio recording apparatus, in the form of a
PC, comprising: a power supply, a central processor unit, a memory
store, an audio interface connected to the processor, and a
housing; the power supply, processor and memory being located
within the housing; the housing having a front panel made from a
strong, rigid material; the apparatus further including a heavy
duty input socket mounted on the front panel and connected to the
interface.
[0010] Preferably, the interface is a digital/audio interface being
arranged to convert analogue audio signals to digital signals, to
transmit the digital signals to the processor, to receive digital
signals from the processor and to convert digital signals to
analogue audio output signals.
[0011] Preferably, the interface is also arranged to receive
digital signals, in addition to or instead of analogue signals.
Preferably it is also arranged to provide a digital output in
addition to or instead of an analogue output.
[0012] Conveniently, the processor and memory form the essential
parts of a PC and the interface constitutes a sound card The
disadvantage of known PC arrangements is that the input to the
sound card is inaccessible in that it is located at the rear of the
unit and is impractical in that it is designed to take very small
1/8" (3.175 mm) jack plugs. However, the present invention uses a
heavy duty input mounted in the front panel. This is preferably
wired through the unit to a socket on the back panel where the
signal path can be permanently connected by a further connecting
lead to the poor quality sockets used in conventional sound cards.
These are usually designed to be connected only once (on
installation) or occasionally at most. The present invention
enables these poor quality components to be used infrequently as
intended and can provide the user with high quality industrial
grade connectors which can be replugged frequently eg. several
times per day as is the norm during audio/music production, without
damaging the component and degrading the audio signal path. In an
alternative design, the sound card may allow for internal
connection, eliminating the need for a back panel socket and the
further connecting lead.
[0013] The term "heavy duty" in this case means recording/music
industry standard components which are intended for constant
repeated use. Examples of such plugs and sockets include 1/4" (6.35
mm) jack plugs and sockets, 3-pin XLR plugs and sockets, and
input/output components sold under the trade mark NEUTRIK. The
front panel is preferably of heavy duty aluminium with a thickness
of eg. 5-10 mm;
[0014] Otherwise, the housing preferably comprises a 2 mm sheet
steel cover and secure fasteners rather than the plastic front
panel, thinner steel or plastic cover and clip fasteners used in
home/office PCs. These features reduce transmitted component noise.
Preferably, the power supply, fan and processor are all selected
for low equipment noise. Preferably, the equipment foot is made
from a sound insulating material, such as Sorbothane.TM. acoustic
absorbent rubber, in order to absorb vibration and thus reduce
transmitted component vibration and noise.
[0015] Preferably, vibration damping and acoustic absorbent sheet
materials are used on surfaces inside the housing to reduce
transmitted component noise.
[0016] Preferably, the interface includes an amplifier. It may also
include a digital input for external digital sources and/or a
digital external output, both of which are preferably heavy duty
components. The respective inputs and outputs of the interface may
be combined as a single input/output component. Preferably, the
interface is arranged to accept/send signals using the musical
instrument digital interface MIDI).
[0017] Preferably, the housing dimensions conform to the standard
19" (48 cm) music/audio rack dimensions. Preferably, a rubber
gasket is used behind the rack ear to improve acoustic/vibration
isolation of the unit from the metal music/audio standard 19" rack
when so mounted.
[0018] The invention may be adapted to provide a range of
applications oriented systems (AOSs) targeting different music
applications eg. sound synthesis and multitrack recording of multi
instrumental compositions. Whilst the basic "computer frame" is
common to all systems, each AOS may be defined by the inclusion of
a different software operating system. Preferably, the housing
front panel includes a bay which accepts a range of control panels
each suited to a different music/audio application and thus a
different AOS. Typically the control panels might incorporate
knobs, switches and lights which use the MIDI to control the most
commonly used functions of the AOS for which it is designed. One
example might incorporate "tape" transport controls (play, stop,
record etc) for multitrack recording systems and synthesizer
controls (cutoff frequency, resonance etc) for sound synthesis
systems. In addition the panels might address sound sampling, audio
editing, DJ mixing and score printing.
[0019] Preferably, the apparatus includes a modem and appropriate
software for selecting sound samples or MIDI files from an
installation as described in EP-A-945865, and then downloading the
samples.
[0020] The invention may be carried into practice in various ways
and some embodiments will now be described by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an apparatus in
accordance with the invention; and
[0022] FIG. 2 is a front view of a typical front panel in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a multitrack audio recording apparatus 11. The
apparatus comprises a housing 12 having a front panel 13 and
mounted with the housing 12, a central processing unit (CPU) 14, a
memory 15, a sound card 16 and a power supply 17. The housing 12 is
made from 2 mm steel and the front panel 13 from 5-10 mm
aluminium.
[0024] The power supply 17 includes a mains transformer and is
connected to an external mains power source via a socket 18. The
power supply powers the apparatus and is therefore connected to the
CPU 14 and the sound card 16; connection to the sound card 16 may
be via the CPU 14. The sound card 16 has a standard 2 mm audio
input socket 19 at the rear.
[0025] The front panel 13 carries a heavy duty dual 3-pin jack
socket 21 which is capable of receiving 3-pin XLR-type plugs and
also standard 1/4" jack plugs. The socket 21 is connected to an
output socket 22 at the rear of the housing. A cable 23 connects
the output socket 22 to the sound card input 19, thus the heavy
duty socket 21 provides an input to the sound card 16.
[0026] The sound card 16 is capable of receiving MIDI note data and
control signals, e.g. notes and sequences played on synthesisers
and drum machines, and analogue audio signals, eg. guitars and
microphones. The analogue signals are converted to digital signals
by the sound card 16 for processing by the CPU 14. The processed
signals are stored in the memory 15.
[0027] The operating software is arranged to allow a large number
of audio tracks to be stored simultaneously having been supplied
sequentially. The operating software also allows the separate
tracks to be synchronised. The software provides a multi-channel
mixing facility and the option of applying effects separately to
each track.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a typical layout for a front panel 13 in
accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention. The front
panel 13 has a heavy duty socket 21 as mentioned above. In
addition, there is a power switch 31, an indicator lamp 32 and a
headphone output socket 33. There is a floppy disc drive 34, a
zip-drive 35 and a CD-ROM drive 36. A control panel 37 includes
standard tape control buttons, and there is a removable disk drive
38.
[0029] The panel 13 is in the standard 19" format and includes
mounting holes 39 for locating the unit in a standard rack.
[0030] It will be understood that for particular applications, the
individual components 21 and 34 to 38 may be varied.
* * * * *